7 Wins Is Too Low for the Vikings
When the 2024 NFL regular season kicks off, the Minnesota Vikings will look to best their projected win total of 6.5 games. That figure seems too low for more than a couple of reasons.
7 Wins Is Too Low for the Vikings
The Detroit Lions are definitely the cream of the crop when it comes to the NFC North division, but they have yet to establish themselves as among the best teams in football. That could occur this season, but it isn’t like they are an unbeatable juggernaut. The Vikings won’t be expected to knock them off the throne for the division, but Minnesota shouldn’t be seen as immediate bottom feeders either.
When the dust settles on the 2024 season, the Vikings should easily surpass their 6.5 projected win total. Here are the reasons why:
The Chicago Bears
Minnesota plays the Chicago Bears twice every year. They had the first overall pick this season and took quarterback Caleb Williams. He’s seen as a generational prospect, but he struggled and got worse during his time at USC. There are also questions about how he will acclimate and mature at the highest level, and it wasn’t as though he drew rave reviews during minicamp.
Expecting the Bears to immediately turn the page and become a competent squad seems far-fetched. The Vikings can definitely win one of the two games against their division rival, and a sweep wouldn’t be shocking, either.
Quarterback Consistency for Minnesota
Last year, the Vikings had anything but a stable quarterback situation. Kirk Cousins went down early with his Achilles injury, and the position became a rotating door after that. Sam Darnold should be expected to produce in the best situation of his career, and J.J. McCarthy won’t step in until it’s determined he is ready to do so.
Having a true first quarterback and not needing to cycle through a stable of incapable backups will do wonders for O’Connell’s offense. The Unity should be produced at a higher clip, which certainly will help the defense.
Another Year of Brian Flores
Last season, the Minnesota Vikings saw their defense take a sizable step forward simply by replacing Ed Donatell with Brian Flores. Getting to work with a handful of the same talents this year, Flores can continue molding the group in his image. There are some soft spots across the depth chart, but Flores will better utilize his players to position them for success.
Minnesota shouldn’t be expected to have a lights-out defensive unit by any means, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see them wind up in the top half.
It is possible for the Vikings to trend like last season’s Houston Texans, and winning at least seven games should be more than doable.
Former Vikings RB Linked to Giants
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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